Still don't understand how Austin Carr wasn't drafted

[Froob]

Let's wait til he does something meaningful in this league first. Let's not forget Tyms, Childress, and Harper before him.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Only one season of production. Rounded off his routes. Body catcher. Struggled to create separation against press man. Not dynamic after the catch. Walk on lacking "pedigree." Etc. He's the classic profile of an undrafted free agent. If he makes something of himself here, great, but most likely he needs a year of seasoning. Practice squad sounds ideal for him.

Compare him to Amba Etta-Tawo, for example. Similar size range (6012, 208) and fantastic numbers: 94 catches for 1,482 yards and 14 touchdowns. He ran a 4.4 at the combine this year, and still went undrafted.

Turns out that raw players with one year of stats aren't always highly prized by teams, unless they show special potential. Both of these players looked average or even below average as technicians, with scheme rather than skill accounting for the majority of their production. They were force fed on mediocre teams, which leads to bulk stats, but neither fit the desired profile for a draftable wide receiver. There's still plenty of time for them to improve, but it should come as no shock that they weren't drafted.

 

[Ring 6]

He's not gonna make past waivers, book it.

Unfortunately, there was no room for him before, now with Jules unfortunate injury, there is a roster spot for him. He's been catching passes and TDs in practice and pre season games, give the kid a chance, as a 5th WR he is not going to see the field a lot. We don't know if he is for real or not, what we know is that Jules and Danny are old and breaking down so we need to start evaluating candidates for taking these spots, we know how this offense relies on a good slot receiver.

I seriously doubt there is anything about carr that would cause a team to claim him off waivers and cut a guy who made their 53.
Carr's screams out as a practice squad guy who may have a shot next year if he improves a lot

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

As for why Carr wasn't drafted, to add another possibility to the excellent ones listed here. I remember reading an article recently ( specifics are vague- maybe someone who also read it can refresh) and there was an UDFA who became a decent NFL receiver and the guy always wondered why he wasn't drafted. Later in his career, a pro scout told him it was because his college coaches told the pro scouts that he wasn't "NFL caliber material" so they looked at his teammates instead. It wasn't one of the big schools but a Toledo type that easily gets overlooked.... Wonder what that guy thinks of his coaches....

 

[Hammer of Thor]

As for why Carr wasn't drafted, to add another possibility to the excellent ones listed here. I remember reading an article recently ( specifics are vague- maybe someone who also read it can refresh) and there was an UDFA who became a decent NFL receiver and the guy always wondered why he wasn't drafted. Later in his career, a pro scout told him it was because his college coaches told the pro scouts that he wasn't "NFL caliber material" so they looked at his teammates instead. It wasn't one of the big schools but a Toledo type that easily gets overlooked.... Wonder what that guy thinks of his coaches....

Andrew Hawkins. He wrote an awesome story at the Players Tribune. Sounds like he would have been a great fit here if his body hadn't said no.
Coming Up Short | By Andrew Hawkins

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

From the other Carr thread


1) I hate giving you this answer but here
it goes. No one, I repeat no one knows why/ how some guys slip through the cracks. Teams have their own unique board with anywhere from 50-200 players theyve identified as X-type players. Or Patriot-type Players as I like to call em. I suppose some guys get cancelled out like that.

Some teams are set at wr. Some have a type. Everyone has a certain type whether it's your girlfriend or a player you're drafting.

Also his college production wasn't great if I remember correctly? I think before last year he had a total of 500 yards/3 TD in his in 2 years. My

2)One question I had with Carr was press man. Something you alluded to. It's a different animal in the NFL. If you cant win at the LOS it's incredibly difficult to succeed at that position. With guys like Carr, smaller, quicker than fast guys. It's a see it to believe type thing.

Also I'm not sure he has that quick twitch acceleration to truly excel w/ yac.

He's a tough guy though that has no problem laying out for a contested catch and as we saw he can rise for one to.

3) One thing I liked about Luc was his potential at the next level regarding yac. Obviously his hands were prob his biggest asset but I thought he'd be a better pro than in college regarding that aspect of his game.

4) I'm fuxkin out at Ebert.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

I think Devin Lucien would be most likely picked up he has a year of seasoning on a NFL PS he is also listed as a Outside WR I think that carries more weight. I will watch Carr's route running more Thursday night.

Out of curiosity, when was the last time a player was cut from his first training camp, went unclaimed off waivers, was picked up by his own team for the practice squad, stayed on the practice squad all season, got cut by the same team in his second training camp, and was claimed off waivers by someone else? Especially someone hasn't played in preseason games against the #1s and looked ok, not special against the #2s?

Darryl Roberts spent his first year on IR, after looking very good in camp and in the 1st preseason game until his injury. Then he played well in his 2nd preseason including showing up against the #1s. So this isn't the same case.

I think Austin Carr has a higher chance of being picked up off waivers then Devin Lucien.

 

[Simpelton]

luuked Reiss is one of those guys who likes to state the obvious.

Worth pointing out that things that are obvious to an excessive fan maybe new information for the casuals. What you are I might call the obvious maybe a necessary refresher or Fill in for those fans who sleep through the off-season.

 

[tasmlab]

He's the perfect example of a high end college guy who's skill set makes him undrafted. That doesn't mean that, theoretically, he can't hone his craft and become a quality player in the league, but this guy's not at the Welker level, and Welker went undrafted, too.

To go undrafted or in very late rounds is almost a badge of honor for a Brady-favorite receiver. e.g., Troy, Jules, Wes, Danny, Hogan, et all.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

To go undrafted or in very late rounds is almost a badge of honor for a Brady-favorite receiver. e.g., Troy, Jules, Wes, Danny, Hogan, et all.

You know what else most of those guys all had in common? They were cut after their first training camp and wound up on a practice squad before making it in the NFL. Jules was the only one who wasn't. Technically Woodhead was IR'd his first year, then was cut after his second camp. They weren't polished enough after their first camp. Point is that it takes a lot of extra effort for these types of guys to develop the skills needed to thrive in the NFL.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Only one season of production. Rounded off his routes. Body catcher. Struggled to create separation against press man. Not dynamic after the catch. Walk on lacking "pedigree." Etc. He's the classic profile of an undrafted free agent. If he makes something of himself here, great, but most likely he needs a year of seasoning. Practice squad sounds ideal for him.

Compare him to Amba Etta-Tawo, for example. Similar size range (6012, 208) and fantastic numbers: 94 catches for 1,482 yards and 14 touchdowns. He ran a 4.4 at the combine this year, and still went undrafted.

Turns out that raw players with one year of stats aren't always highly prized by teams, unless they show special potential. Both of these players looked average or even below average as technicians, with scheme rather than skill accounting for the majority of their production. They were force fed on mediocre teams, which leads to bulk stats, but neither fit the desired profile for a draftable wide receiver. There's still plenty of time for them to improve, but it should come as no shock that they weren't drafted.

Perhaps a reason Kevin White is close to busting?

 

[Sicilian]

We also have to be careful not to over analyze a handful of plays in a preseason game, especially since we don't have a good idea of what exactly the plays are supposed to be. For example (and I'm not saying this IS what happened, just a hypothetical), on Carr's TD catch, it looked like a great, athletic move. But maybe Jimmy was throwing to a spot and Carr was late getting there, resulting in that catch being more difficult than it had to be. Almost like when an outfielder makes a diving catch, but if he'd gotten a better read/jump on the ball off the bat, it would have been routine.

It's one of those catches that, if it comes from a guy with a track record who you know knows what he's doing, you give the benefit of the doubt. But for a rookie UDFA in his first preseason action, you just don't know how the coaches are evaluating that play.

 

[IllegalContact]

the only prospect board I have found him on so far is USA today and they had him listed as 69th out of 70......one thing is that the coaches will market the guys they recruit because that's how they get more recruits......he was a walk on......deck stacked against him on pro days since he was probably filler

 

[patsinthesnow]

Carr has shown nothing on the first team & as Reiss notes only playing a handful of snaps with Brady is a telling sign. His NFL skillset is a dime a dozen. A slot only WR with great awareness/hands but probably beat man coverage.

Meanwhile, Butler has earned 1st team reps all camp & has wrecked starters two weeks in a row. His skillset is scarce too: 3-4 DE/interior DT with a quick first step.

I think the Carr hype is unwarranted until he shows something of note.

 

[IllegalContact]

We also have to be careful not to over analyze a handful of plays in a preseason game, especially since we don't have a good idea of what exactly the plays are supposed to be. For example (and I'm not saying this IS what happened, just a hypothetical), on Carr's TD catch, it looked like a great, athletic move. But maybe Jimmy was throwing to a spot and Carr was late getting there, resulting in that catch being more difficult than it had to be. Almost like when an outfielder makes a diving catch, but if he'd gotten a better read/jump on the ball off the bat, it would have been routine.

It's one of those catches that, if it comes from a guy with a track record who you know knows what he's doing, you give the benefit of the doubt. But for a rookie UDFA in his first preseason action, you just don't know how the coaches are evaluating that play.

there's nothing to analyze.....they guy has succeeded at everything thrown at him

as for the TD catch, Jimmy threw into coverage (3 defenders)....he threw it high prob with the idea of settling for 3......carr got up there and made the catch.....he has also had several plays on the sidelines that go perfectly with the throws brady like to make...

not saying he's the next jerry rice but given the current situation, you have to go with the guy who has shown well in every thing that has come his way. it's more intelligent than trying to go with some vet castoff.......those almost never work out here

 

[IllegalContact]

Carr has shown nothing on the first team & as Reiss notes only playing a handful of snaps with Brady is a telling sign. His NFL skillset is a dime a dozen. A slot only WR with great awareness/hands but probably beat man coverage.

Meanwhile, Butler has earned 1st team reps all camp & has wrecked starters two weeks in a row. His skillset is scarce too: 3-4 DE/interior DT with a quick first step.

I think the Carr hype is unwarranted until he shows something of note.

he's shown it everywhere he has been placed........with another new WR (cooks), there was a priority for play development, and so far given the hype, cooks has not had the presence that has been expected.

It behooves the pats to keep carr around as an option at least until mitchell proves he can stay on the field

 

[primetime]

he's shown it everywhere he has been placed........with another new WR (cooks), there was a priority for play development, and so far given the hype, cooks has not had the presence that has been expected.

It behooves the pats to keep carr around as an option at least until mitchell proves he can stay on the field

Is your argument that Carr has looked better than Cooks?

 

[Sicilian]

there's nothing to analyze.....they guy has succeeded at everything thrown at him

as for the TD catch, Jimmy threw into coverage (3 defenders)....he threw it high prob with the idea of settling for 3......carr got up there and made the catch.....he has also had several plays on the sidelines that go perfectly with the throws brady like to make...

not saying he's the next jerry rice but given the current situation, you have to go with the guy who has shown well in every thing that has come his way. it's more intelligent than trying to go with some vet castoff.......those almost never work out here

I disagree with the bolded statement, but not necessarily with anything else. Like I said, that was just a hypothetical example of the danger of assuming you know exactly what happened on any given play. It looked good. We don't know what the coaches thought of it. We also likely didn't pay any attention to him on plays that weren't thrown to him, so for all we know he's missing things on other plays. Again, NOT saying that's what happened, just that the sample size of what we're seeing is too small to question why this guy wasn't drafted.

 

[PatsFan2]

Out of curiosity, when was the last time a player was cut from his first training camp, went unclaimed off waivers, was picked up by his own team for the practice squad, stayed on the practice squad all season, got cut by the same team in his second training camp, and was claimed off waivers by someone else? Especially someone hasn't played in preseason games against the #1s and looked ok, not special against the #2s?

Darryl Roberts spent his first year on IR, after looking very good in camp and in the 1st preseason game until his injury. Then he played well in his 2nd preseason including showing up against the #1s. So this isn't the same case.

I think Austin Carr has a higher chance of being picked up off waivers then Devin Lucien.

We will see on Sunday or earlier hope I'm wrong regarding the Carr!

 

[pats_premi]

Carr's been catching the ball on plays that took long time to develop. I am not sure if he has the ability to get open in a quick passing game.